Homelessness Task Force Explores 'Dignity Bus' as Low-Cost Shelter Option

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — Just weeks after a dangerous fire near an unsanctioned encampment underscored the risks facing Jefferson County's unhoused population, a coalition of local leaders gathered virtually on July 23, 2026, to explore new solutions—including a bus that could offer immediate, dignified shelter for up to 21 people a night.

The meeting, convened by Olycap Executive Director Holly Morgan, brought together an unusually broad cross-section of officials: county and hospital commissioners, the sheriff, police and fire chiefs, public health directors, housing providers and advocates. Their shared urgency was palpable.

"We need multiple things at once to address this issue," said Chris Hannon, Olycap’s Housing Resource Manager. "It can't just be the encampment. We're going to need pressure from multiple angles."

A mobile solution

The centerpiece of the discussion was the "Dignity Bus," a retrofitted RV-style vehicle presented by Jonathan Orozco of The Source. This Florida-based nonprofit has deployed similar buses in Rhode Island, Illinois and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The bus features 16-21 private sleeping pods with curtains, lights and outlets, plus climate control, bathrooms and storage underneath. The cost: approximately $200,000. The turnaround: just two to three weeks.

"Sleep changes everything," Orozco told the group. "I can do all these amazing programs and try to help people, but if they haven't had a good night's rest, it's really not going to help anybody."

The bus operates overnight only—a place to sleep, not a residence. Guests arrive in the evening and leave in the morning, with staff cleaning and maintaining the vehicle during the day.

Logistical questions emerge

Local officials pressed for specifics. Fire Chief Bret Black noted a significant complication: under Washington state law, moving the bus would require a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement—"not an easy thing to get, even for firefighters."

But Orozco emphasized the vehicles rarely move once parked and can be positioned on private property with proper agreements in place. He also ensured anyone can drive the bus, as it’s more like an RV. The Source provides ongoing maintenance and support and has documented zero police calls in five years of operating their own buses.

Sanitation was another concern. The bus uses RV-style septic systems requiring daily pumping, similar to what truck stops use.

Gary Keister, Executive Director of Bayside Housing, raised questions about warranty and operational costs. Orozco estimated approximately $20 per bed per night to operate, far cheaper than hotel vouchers, jail stays or emergency room visits that communities often rely on.

Not a silver bullet

Multiple attendees cautioned that the bus, while promising, is not a complete answer.

"The bus will help in a lot of ways, but it will not solve our problem," Morgan said. "We are still going to need different levels of service."

Viola Ware, Olycap's Director of Housing and Community Development, stressed the continued need for a supported encampment—a sanctioned, safe place where people can tent camp with basic services, fire breaks and reasonable rules.

"I would love to have a piece of land identified and then work with community groups to create something," Ware said. "My expectation isn't that someone comes to sleep here, and tomorrow I get them into an apartment. We're looking at health measures—not having people deep in the woods where if there is a fire, they're completely inaccessible."

Hospital Commissioner Matt Ready, who has been visiting the Mill Road encampment and offering support, has offered property for a potential bus location and tents. A church in Port Angeles has also expressed interest in hosting a bus, Ware noted.

A diverse ecosystem of solutions

The meeting highlighted the need for a multi-pronged approach. Apple Martine, Director of Jefferson County Public Health, emphasized that different people need different solutions.

"I'm really feeling empowered by organizations with their different focus and different skill level," Martine said. "The bus, while completely interesting, isn't necessarily filling a gap we always circle around—where can people reasonably safely be night and day?"

Iliana Jones, Olycap's new intensive case manager, noted that many unhoused individuals sleeping in cars face serious health risks, including circulation problems. The bus, which allows people to stretch out fully, could serve that population effectively.

County Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette pointed attendees to the county's five-year homeless and affordable housing plan, which explicitly identifies the need to explore encampment solutions and day services. She also noted that the behavioral health consortium is restarting monthly meetings to develop a strategic plan that could guide funding decisions.

What's next

Olycap is pursuing the Dignity Bus concept seriously, exploring funding sources and operational logistics. Renata Munfrada, Housing Grants Coordinator for the City of Port Townsend, invited future discussions around permitting and code enforcement within the city limits. 

The group will meet again in two weeks, with organizers urging continued collaboration between agencies.

"We need everyone in this space right now to work toward the many different prongs of the solution," Morgan said. "This is really an all-hands opportunity."